Noise-Types---Steam-Generators Compare Steam Spa - Steamist - MR. STEAM - KOHLER - Amerec - STEAMBATH - THERMASOL -Whirlpool - ROMA - STEAMCORE

Which steam generator best serves You? I compile useful information to help you make a decision.

Steam Spa - Steamist - MR. STEAM - KOHLER - Amerec - STEAMBATH - THERMASOL -Whirlpool - ROMA - STEAMCORE

Steam Generator Noise Types:

Some people don't mind the loud noise at steamer can make. Personally in a gym steam room, I don't like hearing all the moaning, heavy breathing, and old men farting. The steam room at the gym I go to has a super high fluence but it stinks if you don't go in there after 3pm when they clean it every day. Guys go in there butt naked and don't even sit on a towel. Even worse they walk barefoot and I'm talking toe nail fungus. Eeek! When everyone leaves I open the door and air it out before someone complains. Next person comes in and complains it's not hot in there. I guess they would rather steam in filth.

First thing I want to say is if you want a loud steam generator, buy one of those cheap imports. They are very disturbing to anyone near it. Some steam generators have a high pitch noise thats very annoying and others have a more baritone, low pitched noise. Many people want a dry or high fluence steam room but want it quiet. You really can't have both unless you only want to get about a half gallon of steam in a 20 minute session. Two smaller steam generators putting out the same amount of steam as one larger one will definitely be quieter.

Enough about my germophobe rant, not sure how I got off track.

As for noise, rarely do people like a loud generator. Also, the steam head can make a difference in the type of noise. Each steam head sounds different.

With some generators, you have to scream if you want to have conversation easily. If you want to be able to talk in there with the steam at a lower decibel level, let me know on my steam room quiz. This is probably one of the top 2 complaints that does not have to do with warranty problems. I am the one that hears all the noise complaints from the brands out there. Most of the time the steam generator was quiet when they bought it but got louder over time.

I hear the complaints all the time so if someone wants advice on which one to get based on real people calling me up and complaining about noise from this brand or that brand, I know which ones get the most and least complaints.

Sound Complaints

So, the biggest complaint about sound is the loud whistling noise that come from steam generators that have high ATA. If someone wants a whisper quiet steam generator and doesn’t care about where the sound really comes from, research the open tank systems that work at 1 atmospheric pressure, not the pressure cooker type. Note: there are brands that are quieter that the steam release valve works at lower pressures and is much quieter but those give a much wetter steam and are usually the Chinese imports being sold cheap.

The big problem with plumbers is that they usually use 1/2 inch water pipes and don’t use the 3/4 inch pipe leading to the steam head that is the right size. If using 1/2 inch it will be a loud and have a whistle noise. If using 3/4 inch pipe leading to the steam head or even a one inch then it will be even more whisper quiet. It’s more expensive to put 1 inch pipes so most plumbers don’t use it or won’t even bring it up to you so I always ask them when people call me when they really want the best steam experience. When the plumber comes over I have heard they say it is not necessary. One inch piping is more expensive than the 1/2 inch piping. They might save a few bucks on your installation but you get stuck with a loud steam generator just because you didn’t know to get the 1 inch piping.

I believe it is because they don’t want to go to home depot and buy the adapter and take more time. I urge people to buy this adapter so they have it and the plumber has it ready waiting for them.

The 2nd big problem that can even make a closed tank steam generator that is normally quiet is everyone should have a water pressure reducer that also acts as a sound muffler. Home Depot sells them and you put it right next to the steam generator. They are not expensive. Most plumbers don’t know to even get this so you must have it waiting for them before they do the job. Normal pressure is 60psi to 65 psi. The reducer brings the water pressure down to 15 to 20 psi so the water is not pumped in with pressure. Those that are buying the latest generation open tank who don’t want the high pressure type will still hear that banging noise when the generator cals for water if you don’t have the water pressure reducer if it’s in the bathroom. Just this advice should make it last years and years longer. The plumber just throws it in as cheap as possible and wants to get paid. I know this as I always ask people if people installed the pressure reducer mounted right beside the generator and they act like they don’t know what I am talking about.

Crackling heater noises

Many people complain that their steam generator makes a sizzling sound every time the water is heating up. This noise is from the limescale deposits that are covering the heating element getting hot. This is not dangerous but when the steam is off during the heating duty cycle and you wan’t to relax, the crackling sound can be annoying. Using 1 inch piping and from a non-pressurized steam tank make a relaxing experience. Small steam showers can get very loud with high pressure steam generators.

Please call me if you want me to find out which are the best pressure reducers to get with. Some are cheap and some last much longer and are built to last. Also, with piping, if you are concerned about getting higher grade hoses that are more resistant to limescale and are a higher gauge to reduce the sound I can help you with that (brass vs stainless steel vs plastic vales). There are so many things that people don’t do that would give a much better steam experience.

Take my steam room quiz here. Let me know if noise is a big issue.

Which steam generator best serves You? I compile useful information to help you make a decision.